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This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Kissimmee River Public Use Area. Regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in bold print. Area users should familiarize themselves with all regulations. For exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s wildlife code, on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure, the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook, and quota permit worksheets should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities. These publications are available at MyFWC.com.
Persons using the public use area are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for quota permits when listed as “no exemptions,” recreational use permits, antlerless deer permits and the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp], if applicable): Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older; residents who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate; residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, while home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders; and children under 16 years of age. Children under 16 years of age are exempt from the federal duck stamp. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 and 16 years of age or older must have passed a Commission-approved hunter-safety course prior to being issued a hunting license, except the Hunter Safety Mentoring exemption allows anyone to purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 years of age or older.
Youth
and mentor license holders are required to be accompanied by a supervisor
during any hunt. A youth hunter (less than 16 years of age) must be supervised
by a person at least 18 years of age. A mentor license holder must be
supervised by a licensed hunter at least 21 years of age. Unless exempt, only
those supervisors with proper licenses and permits may hunt.
Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax
collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356 or at
GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. A no-cost Migratory Bird Permit is available when
purchasing a hunting license. Any waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older
must possess a federal duck stamp. |
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Quota Permit Information:
Quota permits are not required for this area. |
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Area Regulations
- General
General Area Regulations:
All general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance with the following regulations:
1. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat which is under power is prohibited, until power and movement from that power, has ceased.
10. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
11. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
12. The head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
13. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
14. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
15. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
16. Littering is prohibited.
17. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
18. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
19. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime this area is open for public access, except rabbit may be hunted only when squirrel hunting is allowed and crow hunting is allowed during the first phase of crow season only.
20. Wild hogs are considered wildlife and may only be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset and only with those methods of take allowed for taking game mammals during each open season. - Public Access and Vehicles
Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year round.
2. Persons must enter and exit the area from the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Kissimmee River, the Istokpoga Canal, the C-38 Canal, the C-41 Canal and at designated entry points.
3. Camping, vehicle authorization, gate combinations, and horses require a Special Use License (SUL) from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). To apply and receive an SUL by email, visit www.SFWMD.gov/sul. To receive an SUL by US Mail, contact SFWMD at 1-800-432-2045 (allow 7-10 business days). All vehicles used under an SUL must have the SUL reference number displayed on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
4. The use of airboats is prohibited in those areas posted as closed to airboat use.
5. The use of tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles and other types of off-road vehicles is prohibited.
6. A marked footpath called the Florida Trail traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year. 7. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated
according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated
only on named or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more
information visit MyFWC.com/ebike. - Hunters
Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1. Hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions.
2. Erecting or maintaining treestands more than 10 days before or more than 10 days after any authorized hunting season is prohibited.
3. Zone A is that portion of the area South of State Road 70 and Zone C is that portion of the area north of State Road 70.
4. Harvesting wildlife with any gun, crossbow or bow is prohibited in the northern portion of Bluff Hammock (see map).
5. Hunting is prohibited outside of the Kissimmee River Channel, the C-38 Canal and the Istokpoga Canal except from the beginning of rail season through the end of the spring turkey season.
6. Hunting is prohibited within 300 yards of any active construction site. - Guns
Guns:
1. Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited.
2. In the Starvation Slough Hunt Area, hunting is allowed only with the following guns: only bows may be used during archery, crossbow and general gun seasons; only muzzleloading guns may be used during muzzleloading gun season; only bows and muzzleloading guns may be used during small game season (after the close of general gun season) and only bows and muzzleloading shotguns may be used during spring turkey season.
3. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see furbearer season for exceptions).
4. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger, if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
5. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
6. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. Hunting with air guns is prohibited in the Starvation Slough Hunt Area.
7. Hunting deer with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charge pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow or bullet .30 caliber or larger.
8. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow. During general gun season, PCP air guns propelling a bullet .20 caliber or larger may also be used for hunting turkey.
9. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
10. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
11. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), pistols, air guns, muzzleloading guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
12. For hunting migratory game, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
13. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
14. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS. - Dogs
Dogs:
1. Hunting deer with dogs is allowed during general gun season.
2. Hunting wild hog with dogs is allowed during general gun, wild-hog dog and small game seasons only.
3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Starvation Slough Hunt Area before January 22.
4. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited during the archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons (Note: wild hog may be hunted with dogs during the “overlap” with small game season).
5. The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.
6. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.
7. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game. 8. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. - Camping
Camping:
1. Camping is allowed by persons possessing a Special Use License. Camping is limited to 8 continuous days.
2. Quiet Hours: Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. loud music, barking dogs or any other activity causing excessive noise is prohibited in camping areas. Generators are allowed except as restricted by posted sign.
3. Pets must be leashed and under control within camping areas. - Bag and Possession Limits
Bag and Possession Limits:
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits -
Archery season - Daily limit 2 deer, except in Zone A where antlerless deer may only be harvested August 19 -27.
Crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general guns seasons - Daily limit 2 antlered deer.
B. Statewide limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - Daily limit 1.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
4. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
6. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a trapping license.
7. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
8. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian
collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common
starling) – No bag limits. - General Information
General Information:
1. Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
2. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 863-648-3200 (TDD 800-955-8771).
3. The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property.
4. Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.
5. Zone A is that portion of the area South of State Road 70 and Zone C is that portion of the area north of State Road 70.
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General Area Regulations:
All general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance with the following regulations:
1. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat which is under power is prohibited, until power and movement from that power, has ceased.
10. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
11. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
12. The head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
13. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
14. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
15. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
16. Littering is prohibited.
17. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
18. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
19. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime this area is open for public access, except rabbit may be hunted only when squirrel hunting is allowed and crow hunting is allowed during the first phase of crow season only.
20. Wild hogs are considered wildlife and may only be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset and only with those methods of take allowed for taking game mammals during each open season. |
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Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year round.
2. Persons must enter and exit the area from the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Kissimmee River, the Istokpoga Canal, the C-38 Canal, the C-41 Canal and at designated entry points.
3. Camping, vehicle authorization, gate combinations, and horses require a Special Use License (SUL) from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). To apply and receive an SUL by email, visit www.SFWMD.gov/sul. To receive an SUL by US Mail, contact SFWMD at 1-800-432-2045 (allow 7-10 business days). All vehicles used under an SUL must have the SUL reference number displayed on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
4. The use of airboats is prohibited in those areas posted as closed to airboat use.
5. The use of tracked vehicles, swamp buggies, all-terrain vehicles and other types of off-road vehicles is prohibited.
6. A marked footpath called the Florida Trail traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year. 7. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated
according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated
only on named or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more
information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
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Hunters and Harvest Reporting:
1. Hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions.
2. Erecting or maintaining treestands more than 10 days before or more than 10 days after any authorized hunting season is prohibited.
3. Zone A is that portion of the area South of State Road 70 and Zone C is that portion of the area north of State Road 70.
4. Harvesting wildlife with any gun, crossbow or bow is prohibited in the northern portion of Bluff Hammock (see map).
5. Hunting is prohibited outside of the Kissimmee River Channel, the C-38 Canal and the Istokpoga Canal except from the beginning of rail season through the end of the spring turkey season.
6. Hunting is prohibited within 300 yards of any active construction site.
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Guns:
1. Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited.
2. In the Starvation Slough Hunt Area, hunting is allowed only with the following guns: only bows may be used during archery, crossbow and general gun seasons; only muzzleloading guns may be used during muzzleloading gun season; only bows and muzzleloading guns may be used during small game season (after the close of general gun season) and only bows and muzzleloading shotguns may be used during spring turkey season.
3. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see furbearer season for exceptions).
4. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger, if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
5. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
6. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. Hunting with air guns is prohibited in the Starvation Slough Hunt Area.
7. Hunting deer with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charge pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow or bullet .30 caliber or larger.
8. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow. During general gun season, PCP air guns propelling a bullet .20 caliber or larger may also be used for hunting turkey.
9. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
10. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
11. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), pistols, air guns, muzzleloading guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
12. For hunting migratory game, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
13. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
14. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS. |
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Dogs:
1. Hunting deer with dogs is allowed during general gun season.
2. Hunting wild hog with dogs is allowed during general gun, wild-hog dog and small game seasons only.
3. Hunting with dogs is prohibited in the Starvation Slough Hunt Area before January 22.
4. Hunting deer or wild hog with dogs is prohibited during the archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons (Note: wild hog may be hunted with dogs during the “overlap” with small game season).
5. The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and behavior correction.
6. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.
7. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game. 8. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. |
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Camping:
1. Camping is allowed by persons possessing a Special Use License. Camping is limited to 8 continuous days.
2. Quiet Hours: Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. loud music, barking dogs or any other activity causing excessive noise is prohibited in camping areas. Generators are allowed except as restricted by posted sign.
3. Pets must be leashed and under control within camping areas. |
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Bag and Possession Limits:
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits -
Archery season - Daily limit 2 deer, except in Zone A where antlerless deer may only be harvested August 19 -27.
Crossbow, muzzleloading gun and general guns seasons - Daily limit 2 antlered deer.
B. Statewide limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - Daily limit 1.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
4. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
6. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a trapping license.
7. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
8. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian
collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common
starling) – No bag limits. |
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